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twenty

Hunter

“ I ’m going to die.” I hold my hand out to Mark as he wobbles slowly toward me, clutching the wall for dear life.

Fuck, I can’t stop smiling, he’s so damn cute.

Skating takes practice, but once you get your balance everything else comes with it.

I started skating when I was six years old—I remember it so well—and I’ve played hockey practically all my life.

My father used to take me to all my practices.

He’s a huge fan of the game and wanted me to go pro.

For years I was the perfect son, and I got amazing grades.

I’m not the smartest guy around, but I study my ass off, and my memory and reading comprehension is really good.

I’ve always picked things up quickly. I played all through middle school, then joined a team in high school.

My father was so proud of me. I was the perfect son.

Then I came out when I was fourteen. I’d always felt a little different, but I knew then, and my father was furious.

He didn’t believe me. He told me I was just confused, that I just admired the athletes.

He was wrong. For months I joined chat rooms and talked to other athletes who’d come out.

I knew he was going to deny me and double down on his dismissal.

I knew that while I did admire athletes, I also was very much attracted to the ones I watched on TV.

My mother never questioned me, she supported me, and my father loved her more than absolutely everything in this world.

Including me. Especially me.

It was hard to go from having two parents who loved me and took care of me, to one.

My father used to do these subtle things to let me know how much he hated me after that.

I’m not sure if my mother noticed. They fought a lot behind closed doors when they didn’t know I could hear them.

I almost want to bet they would have divorced if she hadn’t been diagnosed with breast cancer and relied heavily on the care my father provided her.

I remember at her funeral he didn’t sit anywhere near me.

I sat with Lia. “He’s just grieving,” she’d said to make me feel better, but I knew the truth.

He hated me. He wasn’t even the one to tell me she’d passed; it was my grandmother.

You may be asking yourself, why didn’t anyone in my family take me in after he abandoned me?

But they were all just like him, and my mother had no surviving family who were able to.

Lia—Jamie’s mom—had been there, though.

“I don’t have any padding! My ass has no cushion. I have negative ass. If I fall, I’ll crack in half.” I bite back my laugh watching this man, my man, practically crawl his way onto the ice.

I take his hand finally, pulling him to me. “I happen to love your ass.” I do my best to keep him steady. “A perfectly cute ass.”

Mark huffs out a laugh. “You’re being nice. I know how skinny I am. I am sans ass.”

I hold him to me. “Don’t talk about it like that, we’re just starting to become great friends.”

“You’re an idiot.”

I lean in, unable to prevent the grin on my face, before kissing the tip of his nose.

“The first thing you learn is to fall. How to fall. Get used to falling.” He wobbles in my hold, but to me, skating is as natural as walking.

“Take a deep breath.” Mark does as he’s told, relaxing a bit in my hands.

“Good. Now, don’t be afraid to fall. It will happen. It hurts a little, but you’ll be fine.”

“Says the man who practically speared his opponent into the glass the other night.”

“That fucker had it coming,” I growl. What people don’t know is, that guy called my winger Tanni a slur. I’d do it again, proudly.

“It’s hot, you know.” Mark smiles in my arms. “You’re so calm and patient but seeing you on the ice . . . damn. Super fucking hot.”

“Oh yeah?” I hold him steady, skating as slowly as I can without toppling over.

He’s still stiff in my arms but starting to calm.

He’s wearing the hoodie I gave him the first time he came over, and it makes me feel possessive.

He wears it almost every time I see him.

Seeing my last name splayed across his back gives a primal stroke to my ego. “You’re doing great.”

“No, you’re doing great holding my ass up so I don’t break my tailbone.”

“Falling is one of the first things we learn.” I laugh.

“What’s the worst injury you ever got from hockey?”

I think. I haven’t had too many injuries. “One time in high school, I got tripped up over an opposing player’s skates. I fell, but my helmet was actually knocked off and I hit the ice pretty hard. Had a concussion. Luckily, I was okay. The fall kind of knocked me out, so I didn’t feel it too much.”

“I would be afraid.”

“If you’re afraid to fall you can’t skate.

” Not well anyway. You have to take the fear out of it and treat it as inevitable.

“If all you’re thinking about is the fear, your brain can’t relax enough to think about what you’re actually doing.

” I’ve been knocked over, knocked on my ass, pushed into the glass. It’s all part of it.

“You’re an amazing player. I still don’t know much about it, but I can tell you play insanely well. Skating like that while playing a game is so impressive.”

“Oh yeah?” I smile gently, skating with him in my arms. I love the cool arena, I love the lights and the fans, but this moment right now may be my favorite ever on the ice. With one arm around his waist as we skate slowly, I just enjoy his warmth. “Does it turn you on?”

Mark smiles, and I still can’t believe I’m the first guy he’s been with this way. It makes me feel good. This primal part of me I don’t let out too often preens at the idea. “Yeah, it does.” That husky tone sends pleasure roiling through my stomach.

“You want to shower with me?” I ask him.

“In the locker room?” It is a weekend, and no one else should be here. I know Coach is at home, and who the hell else would be here on a free day? It’s a risk, but why does that excite me even more? I nod, and Mark’s pretty lips split into a smile. “Lead the way.”

I help him out of his skates, and we walk through the arena to the locker rooms. Mark’s hands grab my ass as I lead the way. While I don’t like penetration, the thought of Mark playing with my ass makes my cock stran in my jeans.

Opening the locker room door, I pull him inside and freeze. “Who is that?” Noises can be heard from the lockers. I move quietly. No one else is supposed to be here right now and no one is on the sign-out sheet.

We round the corner, and I regret every step that’s led me here. “Oh fuck!” Jake Benson pushes Noah back slightly, and he stumbles, catching himself before Jake turns into the locker as if we can’t still see his bright-white naked ass. “Benson!?”

“Did you just push him?” Mark glares at Jake, stepping up to him. I lay my hand on his chest.

“He didn’t mean it,” Noah huffs, shaking his head. “We’re busy,” he says simply, as if I didn’t just catch him sucking my goalie’s dick. “You should have knocked.”

“It’s a public locker room, Noah!”

“I’m sorry for pushing you. I panicked,” Jake says, the words muffled with his face pressed into the locker. “I didn’t think anyone else was coming.”

“Well, no one’s coming now,” Noah mumbles.

“Benson, put on some pants.” I look away and so does Mark as Jake turns to grab his boxers off the floor. “I don’t even want to ask how this happened.”

“I told you he was making eyes at me,” Noah says simply.

“You told them!” Jake looks pissed then turns to me. “Please don’t tell anyone,” he pleads. “I just . . . Please . . .”

“Benson, take a breath. I give zero fucks where you stick your dick.” I look at Mark. “As long as it’s not in him.”

Jake visibly relaxes, looking down at Noah and shaking his head. A tiny smile splays on his lips then he looks back to me. “Thanks, Russo, I better um . . . go, it was um—”

“Room forty-five C.” Noah inspects his nails. “I’ll see you there in twenty.”

Benson looks between Noah and me before giving a slight nod and leaving the locker room in just his shirt and boxers.”

“So.” Noah claps his hands. “Hot date? Looking to test out these benches? They are strong, I assure you. Hold a lot of moving weight.”

Mark sighs, shaking his head. “You’re something, Noah.”

“What? I told you he was making eyes at me and no one believed me.”

“Yeah well, he puts his fucking hands on you like that again I’m going to beat the shit out of him.” I’ve seen Jake on the ice, and the thought of that seems kind of unlikely, but it’s not like I wouldn’t be right behind Mark, backing him up.

“He was just scared and shocked. It was a reflex.”

“Well, my fist will reflexively break his nose if he does it again.”

Wanting to lighten the mood so Mark and I can go back to the sexy part of our day, I look at the tiny hellion that Mark has convinced himself is his best friend.

I almost wonder if I should introduce him to Jamie.

I know they’d hate each other, but watching Noah annoy the shit out of him may actually be fun.

“How many of my of my players have you slept with?”

“Oh sweet, sweet Puck Daddy,” he laughs, walking past me and placing a hand on my shoulder. “I think it’ll be faster to tell you which ones I haven’t.”

“Noah, get out of here!” Mark pushes him toward the door. “My friend is insane. And you were jealous of us?” He shakes his head. “Jealous of him?”

“You slept with him for the better part of a year. Excuse me for feeling some type of way.” That feeling is completely gone. “Noah’s cute. It made me feel insecure at first.”

Mark folds his arms over his chest. “We’re done with that, right? I think it’s clear there’s nothing going on between us.” Yeah, I know that now. “Now. Get your gorgeous ass in the showers. I have some ideas for you.”

“Holy fuck!” I slap the tile behind me. It’s a miracle I haven’t slipped.

The water beats down on us, and Mark looks like the sweetest fucking sin on his knees right now.

While he’s smaller than me bulk wise, it doesn’t seem to affect his strength as one of my thighs rests over his shoulder spreading me open for him, his face buried between my cheeks.

Penetration? No.

Eating me out while he milks my balls? Super yes.

So much yes.

All the fucking yes.

“It’s a shame I can’t get in here.” Mark grins, but it’s playful not pressuring. “Tasty fucking hole.” He sucks my rim and I see stars. Holy shit.

As he jerks my cock my eyes pinch, and each zap of lightening pulses through me. I see Mark’s other hand moving, jerking himself as he makes a meal of my ass. “Try a finger.” I breathe heavily, just wanting to see. “Suck my cock.”

“Really?” His brows pinch. “It was just dirty talk. I don’t need—”

“Do it. Just one.” I breathe heavily, just desperate. His middle finger slides over my hole and along my crack before slowly pressing against my entrance. It’s only a slight tap but it sends white-hot electricity throughout my body. “Jesus.”

Slowly he pushes in, and I wince feeling his long finger take shape. Okay, yeah, no. “No. No, I . . .” I barely get the words out before Mark slips his finger back out. “Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for, baby. At all,” Marks says. “Can I keep eating you out?”

“Please. Fuck, please.”

“Turn around.” I listen, not used to this type of dominance.

I’m usually the one in control, but as Mark’s hot tongue laves over my hole I am firmly set in submission.

He milks my cock, eats my hole, and it takes zero time at all for me to come, my knees buckling under the pleasure of it.

“Fuck, Mark.” He kisses and licks me before rising behind me.

“On your knees.”

I turn, sinking to my knees as he looms above me stroking his dick. His fingers smooth along the hair on my jaw, his blue eyes filled with so much heat. “Hunter, how bad do you want it?” Fuck.

“Give me your load, baby.” I stick out my tongue, moaning as he comes on my face.

“Holy shit.” He pants, gripping my shoulder as he shakes slightly, and I rise to my feet, picking him up in one solid swoop.

His legs wrap around me. He kisses me—licks his release off my face.

It’s filthy and so fucking hot. The water starts to lose its heat but Mark makes up the difference, holding me close.

I hear a throat clear. We both freeze. Mark’s eyes blow wide as he looks at me. “Sounds like you two are finished. Good for y—”

“Noah, what the fuck!”

“What!? I came back in to ask if you have any condoms. I’m all out.”

“And you couldn’t wait!”

“Um I did wait, I would never interrupt you. That would be rude!.”

“I meant wait outside!” Mark rests his forehead against my head.“I’m going to kill him,” He whispers. I’m just grateful Noah didn’t come all the way in here. “In my wallet!” Mark shouts out. “Jeans are on the bench.”

“Thanks. You’re a doll,” Noah says. “By the way. It seems like Mark has really improved his technique. Well, either that or Hunter is just easily satisfied.

“Noah, get the fuck out of here right now!” I growl.

“Fine. Fine. I’m going. I’ll text you later, Mark.”

Mark closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. Finally, he opens them. “That . . . You were jealous of that?”

I can’t help myself; I laugh and can’t stop. “Do you realize what just happened?”

“My best friend is a maniac, and I’m trapped in this unhealthy best-friendship for the rest of my life? Probably eternity.”

I lean in, kissing him softly and loving the way this man melts against me. “No.” I smile. “He just called me Hunter.”